Christmas Cheer

STELLA MCCARTNEY was conspicuous by her absence last night at the annual Christmas lights party at her Mayfair store being, as guests in the know asserted, "due to give birth any day". Her sister Mary and husband Alasdair attended by proxy - and her non-attendance didn't stop guests getting in the Christmas mood.

"I'm going home to Detroit," Alison Mosshart of The Kills told us as Pam Hogg stuffed sweet Christmas treats in to Mosshart's handbag. "It'll be a family Christmas. Not quiet exactly, and I'll still be working, but nice to see everyone. I'm going to try skiing a few hours north of Detroit. I've done it once before and I don't remember what happened, but I didn't break my arm or anything so hopefully it'll be fine."

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Catherine Tate did the illumination honours in the guise of her foul- mouthed Nan character. Last year the Mighy Boosh boys did the job, also dressed as Nanas, so presumably blue rinses and cosy jumpers should be hitting the McCartney catwalk in March, now she's had 12-months-worth of senior citizen inspiration.